Just noticed I initially wrote Pay-as-you-pay contract as you can see in your post, Qwerty. I've edited it now. What a duffer I am.
As my name suggests im a beattie fan, would like to see him get a pay as you play contract. With barnards court case and the doubt i have whether connolly can play the full season, the deal would make sense.
Well, for a start, the 23% of you that REALLY wants Beatts back would be a part of the 75% that wants him back. In addition, the 2.1% of you that can't count might also be concerned that he will rock the boat. If rocking the boat were enough reason to definitely not want him back, that 6.7% would be mutually exclusive with the 75% that wants him back. If all of the above were to hold true, that would add up to 81.7%, assuming I can count...
Like others have said I'm completely torn. Whilst it would be great to see Beatts back, I just have this feeling that he is past his best and it could be that he is really ****. If this is the case then I would rather just have the memories of him from a few years ago rather than potentially having them destroyed by him coming back and not being anything like he was.
I've posted a lot in these Beattie threads so without meaning to sound like a broken record - BRING HIM HOME! What have we actually got to lose?? Are there really many strikers about now for free that are better or that the fans would be happier with? He was playing for Rangers who don't spend a whole lot on wages compared to English teams for two reasons: 1) They are skint themselves and 2) It's Scotland ffs! League One Sheffield United are interested in him also so he isn't going to be looking a lot of money I don't think, he'll just be happy to be playing for somebody. He is clearly lacking in confidence and what better way to rebuild his confidence than a packed St Mary's hero's welcome? He isn't going to get a better reception anywhere in England and I think that's all it would take to give the tail end of his career a kick-start. Also we all know how good he was on derby day...we still have two games against Pompey and I'd do anything, ANYTHING I could to have him in the side for that. James Beattie is my favourite Southampton player to date. I've been supporting the Saints for ten seasons or so now and he was the main reason for this. No doubt about that! I'm struggling to see it happening but if it did I would be absolutely delighted.
Just imagine if he came back and scored the winner against Pompey, it would be brilliant. Sadly I can't see him re joining us..
If the coaching staff want Beattie back, then I am all for it. Incedentially. When does Tevez join Leicester on loan? Lol I can see Sven being up for it!
He was at Rangers last season and couldn`t get a game - much as it pains me to say - in a poor SPL. He was slow, and seemed to have filled out a lot in the wrong places. Didn`t do anything at Blackpool either. He was a terrific player for Saints, but lets not spoil the good memories by bringing him back.
If, a huge if, he were to join on pay-as-you play contract, then it is up to him to get fit, sharp and a proper team mentality going otherwise he won't get a game. It could work out well. Remember how Connolly started with us?
As others have said, I'd be very happy for him to come on board the bus on a pay-as-you-play 1 year deal - we don't have adequate cover that can play in the style of Rickie, and I think he'd be a decent option for that. Unless we get Tevez on loan ;-) PS - I always thought that MLT was one of the brighter footballers around - I am however absolutely on Team Cortese with this debate though.
While it would be great for nostalgia, if we're in the market for a striker, I honestly think we could do a lot better than Beattie. He is well past his peak and has been out of form for a while now.
I saw Beats at the Help for Heroes game at the Silverlake last Sunday and what I saw was a leaner and fitter JB than when he was with us before, his attitude seems to have matured and was enjoying banter with the fans at the game. It may be worth a gamble and suit both parties, not a lot to lose.
